title: Colorectal neoplasia in elderly versus young patients in Tunisia: analysis of colonoscopic findings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer occurs more frequently in older patients. Since the older population is increasing, a better understanding of the characteristics of colorectal neoplasm according to the age would be useful.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the differences of clinical characteristics of colorectal neoplasm including polyps between the elderly and young patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Colonoscopy database from 2004 to 2008 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 1510 eligible patients who underwent colonoscopy with a mean age of 54 years. Patients were classified into two groups: the older age group (Group 1, aged ³ 60 years, n = 626) and the younger age group (Group 2, aged < 60 years, n = 884). Data were recorded on age, gender, colonoscopic indications, colonoscopic findings, and their related histological findings and tumor location.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The risk of finding polyps and cancer at colonoscopy increases with age (29.4% in the older age group and 11% in the younger age group (p < 0.05). Left-sided lesions were noted to be more frequent in both age groups (66% and 67% respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The chance of detecting colorectal neoplasm by colonoscopy was higher in the elderly. However, both groups had the lesions predominately located in the left side.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Habib Thameur Hospital, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ouakaa-Kchaou
authors.forename: Hela
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elloumi
authors.forename: Afef
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ouaz
authors.forename: Dalila
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gargouri
authors.forename: Rania
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hefaiedh
authors.forename: Asma
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kochlef
authors.forename: Afef
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kilani
authors.forename: Malika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romani
authors.forename: Jamel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kharrat
authors.forename: Abdeljabbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ghorbel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D003113:Colonoscopy; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014416:Tunisia; D055815:Young Adult